Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
Is your class as hard as everyone says it is?
Chemistry is a challenge because it is the first course that students have not had prior experience. Most of the information is entirely new, and very little is memorization. YOU MUST STUDY!!!!Back to Top
At least 30 minutes a night. Some students will have to study more, some less. In the beginning, I would approach this class like it is the hardest class you will ever have then you can adjust the amount of studying from that point. IT IS BEST TO OVER STUDY IN THE BEGINNING, RATHER THAN UNDER STUDY! Studying is an art-form. You must take some mental breaks (15 minutes for every hour) or your mind will end up like mine...jello.Back to Top
How can I succeed in your class?
1) Listen in class to everything. 2) Take all notes (test come directly from notes) 3) ASK QUESTIONS!!!!! In class, in the hall, before school, at the game, call me (365-2669) not after 10:30pm, I don't mind at all. IT'S MY JOB!Back to Top
I will help any and all chemistry students between the hours of 6:30am and 7:50am Monday - Friday in my classroom SCI-2.Back to Top
How many of those stupid Hawiian shirts do you own?
I have 34 but only wear about 30 of them. That means you only have to see the same one once every 5-6 weeks. I do have a rotation system in place. (12/7) I NOW HAVE 35!!! I acquired a sweet vintage true hawiian shirt today...it is choice (translation, ugly)...I will wear it MondayBack to Top
Does prayer help in chemistry?
Prayer helps in every aspect of life. The problem is that we don't always like the answer. We may be told to get off our lazy backsides and work harder! I get that message several times a week.Back to Top
Is Mr. Hicks as scary as he seems?
I have seen Mr. Hicks devour three freshmen at a time. He once threw a school bus at a teacher for missing bus duty (me). And he moved the gym over six feet by hand to give the softball field a little more room. But if you keep the school clean and no trash about he's pretty nice.Back to Top
Why don't you answer your phone?
Just like you, our family is busy. However, it has become a habit of screening calls so that I can think a minute of whom I will be speaking to and what their grades, attendance, conduct, etc...may be. I WILL ALWAYS CALL BACK!!! LEAVE YOUR NAME AND PHONE NUMBER! Wednesdays (Church night)and Friday - Sunday can be hit and miss, but I will call!Back to Top
How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie roll pop?
The turtle won't give a straight answer, the owl says three, I don't really like them. So lets just say over 3 but less than 765. Who listens to owls anyway??? Get it WHO..ha! Owls say that all the time.Back to Top
What's up with the stupid bonus questions?
They serve a little known purpose. Many chemistry concepts are very abstract and intangible. The goofy bonus questions serve as a small practice in thinking(wait for the cliche)"outside the box". This can be very helpful in thinking about electrons, quarks, moles, bosons, muons, neutrinos, pions, kaons, and hadrons. Heck, the names are straight out of Star Trek, we need some imagination in chemistry.Back to Top
In the old Superman TV show, why did Superman dodge or duck the thrown gun?
I know, Superman stands there with his chest all puffed out and the bullets ricochet off of him. THEN, the crook throws the gun and Superman moves so it doesn't hit him. HE IS AN ACTOR, THE GUN WOULD HURT. SUPERMAN IS NOT REAL!!!!!Back to Top
HOW DO I PREPARE FOR THE CHEMISTRY (NON-AP) FINAL?
BE EXEMPT! That is the best prep! You will receive 3-4 review sheets that consist of fill in the blank and problem solving. Each sheet will cover 2-3 chapters and have ~75 questions. You will complete these review sheets for a grade and we will go over them. THESE SHEETS ARE NOT THE QUESTIONS ON THE FINAL, DO NOT MEMORIZE!!!!! The questions on the review sheets represent the topics that can be on the final. Study the sheets and use your notes to clarify any problems.Back to Top
What is the Chemistry Final like?
Approximately 100 multiple choice questions. There will be math problems so have your calculator.Back to Top